System and method for accessorizing handbags

ABSTRACT

A system and method for accessorizing hand bags with a flexible system capable of attaching myriad decorated accessories to myriad hand bags utilizing a hooking method of attachment.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of handbags, in particular to a system and method for accessorizing handbags with a flexible system capable of attaching myriad decorated accessories to myriad handbags utilizing a hooking method of attachment.

II. Discussion of the Prior Art

Handbags have an infamous reputation through out the world for various reasons, while the following patents disclose some of the problems and solutions that have become widely apparent over the last century, there are yet unresolved issues.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,656,870 issued to Wishina, discloses a lady's handbag in which the decorative effects can be changed by a replaceable front panel of the purse. The panel is retained by a thumb nut. Although the appearance of the purse may be changed, the front panel is very limited in its ability to change the overall appearance of the handbag.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,167 issued to Scwartz, discloses a handbag with interchangeable handles. The handles have a limited number of embodiments which are highly limited by the requirement for the handle to have the same limited shape for attachment which would result in a limited amount of design flexibility for different seasons and occasions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,784 issued to Katz discloses a complex connector system for attaching jewelry to a plurality of clasps. Such a complex design leads to increased costs and increases the potential for a mechanical failure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,787 issued to Davis discloses a ladies handbag capable of limited ornamentation via a magnetically attached clasp. The clasp required an anti-rotation element and suffers from a generally unstable platform due to the limited strength of attachment associated with small fixed magnets.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,280 issued to Sands, discloses another transformable purse. However, the disclosed purse requires that the entire contents of the bag be transferred between different shells. This time consuming method would severely limit the occasions for which a handbag could be utilized. Additionally, such shells would require expensive precision created materials which would increase their overall costs.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to accessorizing handbags to accommodate different outfits, moods, and occasions without having to replace the entire handbag. It also allows numerous combination looks and bags as women accumulate inter-changeable bags, handles and hook on accessories through-out the years. This potentially saves consumers from having to purchase new bags every time they change outfits or go to different functions. Additionally, the present invention allows consumers to personalize their bag and get super creative with the look they can create on a daily basis.

Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a handbag whose appearance is capable of being quickly and easily changed by the end user to enable them to accessorize myriad outfits for different seasons and occasions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a handbag with an interchangeable accessory mount capable of matching the handbag with the end users mood and style.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a handbag with an interchangeable accessory mount that is reliable and strong so that highly ornamented accessories cannot break free.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a handbag with an interchangeable accessory mount that is inexpensive to manufacture to allow a wide variety of custom accessorizing.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

It is convenient to hereinafter describe embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be appreciated that the particularity of the drawings and the related description is to be understood as not superseding the broad description of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the present invention, including a handbag 20, releasably coupled to a handle 10 and a jeweled accessory 30.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention, illustrating (among other things), a handle 10 having handle hooks 11, handle strap 18, a handbag 20 having front 21 and side 23 surfaces, and a jeweled accessory 30 having jeweled decorations 36.

FIG. 3 is detailed view of the current invention, illustrating (among other things), a handle ring member loop 24 and a handle ring member 22 capable of releasably coupling a handle hook 11 fixedly attached to a handle strap 18; and a jeweled accessory ring member loop 28 fixedly attached to a jeweled accessory handbag ring member 26 capable of releasably coupling a jeweled accessory 30.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the handle hook 11, illustrating (among other things), a hook body 12, a hook lever 14, and a hook pin 16 fixedly attached to a handle strap 18 through a fastening means 13.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the handbag 20, illustrating (among other things), handbag material 25 for extending a handle ring member 22 from the handbag 20.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the handbag 20, illustrating (among other things) an embodiment wherein a handle ring member 22 is disposed in the side surface 23 of the handbag 20.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the handbag 20, illustrating (among other things) an embodiment wherein a handle ring member 22 is disposed in a handbag handle flap 27 which is fixedly attached to the handbag 20.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the jeweled accessory 30 with a handle hook 11 capable of releasably coupling to the handbag 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The system to accessorize handbags disclosed herein boasts a variety of inventive features and components that warrant patent protection, both individually and in combination.

FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention as would be utilized by the end-user in an accessorized manner. Specifically, a handle 10 is attached to the handbag 20 at two points generally at opposite sides of the handbag 20. The handle 10 is releasably coupled to handle ring members 22 that are fixed to the handbag 20 though a variety of methods. One skilled in the art will understand the variety of methods in the embodiment described in FIG. 1 as well as in FIGS. 5-7 described below.

FIG. 1 further discloses a handbag 20 with a generally centrally located jeweled accessory handbag ring member 26 disposed on the front surface 21 of the handbag 20 capable of releasably coupling a jeweled accessory 30. The jeweled accessory 30 is designed to be easily attached and released from the handle ring member 22 with a tension spring (not shown) loaded to a hook lever 14. The hook lever 14 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The end-user of the present invention will realize myriad advantages of the simple and elegant method of accessorizing the present embodiment with a handle hook 11 because it can be manufactured of strong materials that will have a long useful life.

FIG. 1 further discloses the jeweled accessory handbag ring member 26 fixedly attached to the handbag 20 with a jeweled accessory ring member loop 28. The jeweled accessory ring member loop 28 can be made of a variety of materials such as cloth, fabric, leather, or any other suitable polymer, such as a faux leather, faux alligator skin or other suitable faux animal skins. Thus the handbag 20 will not be limited to a particular type of material to match the jeweled accessory 30, and the variety of fashionable designs can be coordinated between the handbag 20 and the jeweled accessory 30. Further it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the jeweled accessory ring member 26 can be made of metal, wood, or polymer and the ring member 26 could be further accessorized by jewels or coverings such as electro plating, brassing, or paint.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate the system and method for accessorizing handbags 100 with the handle 10 and jeweled accessory 30 in the released position from the handbag 20. The handbag 20 of the present embodiment illustrates the attachment of the handle ring members 22 attached with a handbag handle ring loop 24 which is fixedly attached to the handbag 20 forming a loop having the handle ring member 22 integrated to and permanently attached to the handbag 20. There are several other methods of integrating the handle ring member 22 disclosed and illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, below. Further, the handbag 20 of the present invention discloses a handbag ring member 26 for releasably coupling to the jeweled accessory 30 disposed of generally centrally in the face of the handbag. The handbag ring member 26 for releasably coupling to the jeweled accessory 30 is attached to the handbag 20 by a piece of cloth or other material which is suitable such as the same material as the handbag. One skilled in the art would understand that both the handle ring member 22 for the handle 10 and the handbag ring member 26 for releasably coupling the jeweled accessory 30 are capable of manufacture as metal, wood, polymer, cloth or other suitable material and that ring members may have decorative features such as bronzing, brassing, painting, electro-plated coverings or other decorative features.

The handle 10 has two handle hooks 11 on each end. The handle 10 is generally symmetrical and capable of being manufactured with a variety of materials including the cloth, leather, polymer or other appropriate materials which are capable of matching the style of the handbag 20. The handle hooks 11 on the ends of the handle strap 28 are made of metal such as aluminum or steel but one skilled in the art would recognize that a variety of metals would be suitable. In the present embodiment, the handle hooks 11 have springs (not shown) which keep a hook lever 14 on the handle hook 11 in the closed position, wherein the hook lever 14 is in direct contact with the hook body 12. The handle hook 11 is capable coupling to the handle ring member 22 by applying pressure to the hook lever 14 directly to the handle ring member 22 which would move the hook lever 14 to the open position and allow the handle ring member 22 to slide inside the handle hook 11. The handle hook 11 is detached by the end user applying pressure to the hook lever 14 with their thumb or finger to move the hook lever 14 to the open position, then the handle hook 11 can slide the off the handle ring member 22 and then close by spring pressure exerted when the thumb or finger relaxes the pressure on the hook lever 14.

FIG. 2 additionally shows the jeweled accessory 30 in one embodiment that has a jewel hook 32, a decorative body 34 and hanging jewel decorations 36. The jeweled accessory 30 has a similar method of coupling to the handbag 20 as the handle 10 does to the handbag 20, except that it requires only a single handbag ring member 26 attached to the front of the handbag 20 to be securely coupled. Although the present embodiment illustrates in FIGS. 2-3 that only a single handbag ring member 26 is necessary for attachment, it would be an additional design feature to employ a plurality of such handbag ring members 26 capable of receiving numerous jeweled accessories 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates the handle hook 11 of the present invention. The handle hook 11 has a hook body 12, a hook lever 14, an attachment pin 16, a hook housing 17, an internal spring (not shown) and a hook loop 19. The hook lever 14 is attached to the hook body 12 by the attachment pin 16. The hook lever 14 thereby is capable of rotation through the attachment pin 16 axis. The hook body 12 rotatably coupled to the loop body 19 through the hook housing 17. The hook housing 17 has an internal diameter capable of receiving the hook body 12 with a slightly smaller diameter and will not slip from the hook housing 17 because the top end of the hook housing 17 is tapered to a smaller diameter than a portion of the hook body 12.

The loop body 19 is attached to the handle 10 where the end of the handle strap 18 is placed through the loop body 19 and permanently attached to another portion of the handle strap 18, thus forming a tight fitting loop. The handle 10 can form a loop by sewing through the material; such material as cloth, leather, polymer or faux animal skin are examples and not limitations. One skilled in the art could appreciate that additional methods of forming a loop to hold the handle hook 11 firmly to the handle 10 such as gluing, heat bonding, epoxy, or other appropriate chemical catalysts capable of cross-linking a portion of the handle strap 18 material to another portion of the handle strap 18.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate several methods of integrating the handle ring member 22 into the handbag 20. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates the handbag side surface 23 of a handbag 20 where the handle ring member 22 is attached to a piece of handbag extender which forms a handbag handle ring loop 24 around the handle ring member 22 and is further attached to the handbag 20, allowing the handle ring member 22 to rotate from a hanging position to an elevated position when the handle 10 is attached to the handbag 20 and the handle 10 is lifted. FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the handle ring member 22 wherein it is disposed of in the handbag side surface 23 of the handbag 20. The handle ring member 22 is substantially flush with the handbag side surface 23. FIG. 7 discloses a method of attaching the handle 10 to the handbag 20 wherein the handle ring member 22 is first disposed of in a handle flap 27 which is further attached to the handbag 20 on the handbag side surface 23. Thus, the handle flap 27 is rotatable from a hanging position to a raised position when the handle 10 is used to lift the handbag 20. The handle flap 27 may be attached to the handbag 20 by a variety methods such as gluing, heat bonding, epoxy, or other appropriate chemical catalysts capable of cross-linking the handle flap 27 material to a portion of the handbag 20. The handle ring member 22 is substantially flush with the surface of the handle flap 27 to avoid any potential snagging. However, the handle ring member 22 would be appreciated by one skilled in the art to encompass many types of materials which could make the surface of the handle ring member 22 protrude from the surface of the handle flap 27. By way of example only, and not by way of limitation, a handle ring member 22 could be made of aluminum, steel, anodized metals, brass or brushed nickel, all of which could further add to the aesthetics of the accessorized handbag.

FIG. 8 illustrates a jeweled accessory 30 having a jewel hook 32 capable of releasably coupling the handbag 20 at the handbag ring member 26. The jewel hook 32 operates in the same manner as the handle hook 11, as described in FIG. 4. The jeweled accessory 30 is designed to be easily attached and released from the handbag ring member 26 through a spring loaded hook lever 14 which is part of a jewel hook 32. The hook lever 14 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and a similar hook is contemplated for both the handle hook 11 and the jewel hook 32. In the present embodiment, the jewel hook 32 has a spring (not shown) which holds a hook lever 14 on the jewel hook 32 in the closed position where the hook lever 14 is in direct contact with the hook body 12. The jewel hook 32 is capable coupling to the handbag ring member 26 by applying pressure with the hook lever 14 directly to the handbag ring member 26 which moves the hook lever 14 to the open position and allows the handbag ring member 26 to slide inside the jewel hook 32 to attach. The jewel hook 32 is detached when the end user applies pressure to the hook lever 14 with their thumb or finger to move it to the open position. Then the jewel hook 32 can slide the off the handbag ring member 26 and the jewel hook 32 will automatically close by internal pressure created by the hook spring (not shown) when the thumb or finger relaxes the pressure on the hook lever 14. 

1. A system and method for accessorizing handbags comprisng: a handbag member attached to two handle ring members capable of receiving hooks; a decorative handle having two ends said ends each having a hooking member; and, a handbag ring member attached to a generally centrally located portion of a front surface of said handbag member capable of receiving a decorative hooking member.
 2. The system and method for accessorizing handbags of claim 1, wherein, there is a plurality of handbag ring members attached to the handbag member capable of releasably coupling to several jewelwed accessories.
 3. The system and method for accessorizing handbags of claim 1, wherein, the hooking member has a tension spring applying continuous pressure to a hooking lever maintaining the hooking lever in a closed position.
 4. The system and method for accessorizing handbags of claim 1, wherein, the handle ring member is attached to the handbag member by a piece of handbag material.
 5. The system and method for accessorizing handbags of claim 1, wherein, the handle ring member is disposed substantially within a side surface of the handbag member.
 6. The system and method for accessorizing handbags of claim 1, wherein, the handle ring member is disposed substantially within a handle flap of the handbag member.
 7. The system and method for accessorizing handbags of claim 1, wherein, the decorative hooking member is an ornamented substrate having a jewel. 